HVAC replacement companies often recommend HEPA filters because they can provide the highest level of protection when it comes to airborne particles. Indoor air quality is a crucial element for any homeowner, especially if members of their household have respiratory problems. The right HVAC filters can make the difference between congested air full of contaminants and clean, healthy, and easy-to-breathe air. Understanding the different types of air filters for homes is the first step in obtaining the best indoor air quality that it deserves it.
Each of these filters has its own advantages and disadvantages, which vary depending on the purpose you have for your home. Some people need air conditioning system filters that keep the air free of allergens and other contaminants, while others only need a basic filter to do their job. Generally, high-efficiency filters that are also cost-effective are best for homes, but you should also consider whether there are pets in the home, if mold or mildew pose a threat, and how often filters need to be changed. Air Quality Services in Central Pennsylvania Not all filters are made equal, so choosing the right filter depends on what you need to purify the air.
You'll also want to consider factors such as the cost of filters. It's wise to talk to an HVAC professional before making any decisions about air filters. To gather information and weigh your options, you can compare the basic advantages and disadvantages of each type of filter. Let's discuss each type of filter and its characteristics to determine which types may be right for your home. People who live with allergies or other respiratory problems may benefit the most from HEPA filters.
These filters need to be adjusted by a contractor to fit your specific HVAC system. As the name suggests, UV filters use short-wave ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. When air passes through the air conditioning unit, UV lamps disinfect it with germicidal radiation. UV filters are excellent for killing microorganisms that could be hazardous to health, including mold spores.
A potential danger of UV filters is that they can transform oxygen into ozone, which can be hazardous to health. Even low amounts of ozone can cause coughing and chest pain, while higher amounts can worsen existing respiratory diseases, such as asthma. While UV filters are great at eliminating bacteria and viruses, they aren't as effective at protecting them from contaminants such as dust. This is why they are often part of a larger filtration mechanism, including HEPA air filters. UV light is invisible to the human eye and bulbs usually need to be replaced every year, depending on the make and model of the air conditioning system.
By using small cotton and paper fibers, electrostatic filters generate static electricity that acts like a magnet for dust and other particles suspended in the air. The magnetism is strong enough to prevent these particles from spreading throughout the house, making them one of the best options for those who need a filter that can combat allergens. An additional advantage of electrostatic filters is that they are available as disposable and reusable. When it's time to change the filters, you can decide if you want to wash and reuse them or throw them away and buy new ones.
While certain types of air filters come with reusable and disposable options, washable filters are an environmentally friendly way to save money. The starting price of this type of air filter for air conditioning systems is high, but it should be considered an investment that will last for many years. The starting price is likely all you'll have to pay, as you can simply wash and reuse the filter over and over again instead of buying new ones every few months. Washable filters must be well maintained to ensure they work as they should.
As one of the main types of air filters, they come with maintenance instructions that must be followed. It is very important to ensure that the filter is completely dry before replacing it. Even the smallest amount of moisture that remains can cause mold and mildew to form on the filter and expel them into the air you breathe. While these filters have a low MERV rating, they are an excellent long-term investment for someone who doesn't have great preferences for HVAC filter types and doesn't need special filters. When it comes to air filters for HVAC systems, multimedia filters can offer more benefits than standard filters with high MERV ratings.
Multimedia filters provide the same level of filtration as a high MERV filter, but they do so without the negative consequences of airflow or static pressure. In contrast, media filters have a larger surface area, which successfully avoids significant static pressure and, at the same time, provides better filtration. Multimedia filters are very easy to maintain and excellent for filtering bacteria and other small airborne contaminants. The filtered dirt is sealed in the filter, preventing it from returning to your home.
Multimedia filters are also rugged and cost-effective, and need to be changed as infrequently as once or twice a year. Fiberglass threads are spun together to create this type of filter, which is one of the most common types of HVAC filters. It's one of the best types of air conditioning filters because it's cost-effective, disposable, and protects air conditioners and ovens from dirt. Of the different types of air conditioning filters available, spun glass is one of the most effective.
But if you are looking for an air purifier, a more advanced option would be more suitable. These filters aren't known for improving air quality, as they can't force too hard and can only trap some dust and allergens. For this reason, these filters are not recommended for people who have respiratory problems and need a filter that improves indoor air quality. The pleats of these filters give them an advantage over the crease-free options, as they increase the surface area of the filter to better filter them.
Filters with more creases filter better than those with fewer creases and trap even the toughest allergens and contaminants, such as pet dander and mold spores. Pleated filters are also available in reusable and disposable formats, and can help eliminate HVAC fan noise. The disadvantage of these filters is that they require the air conditioning system to work a little harder to draw air through the unit, which can cause the air conditioning system to lose efficiency sooner than expected. Because pleated filters slightly improve air quality in your home, they're an affordable option for people concerned about indoor air quality.
The sizes of HVAC filters are assigned according to the thickness of the filter, also known as depth, in addition to its height and length. There are standard sizes, but the exact size of the filter will depend on your HVAC system and specifications. The best way to find out what size filter you need is to remove the existing filter from your air conditioning system and check its dimensions on the filter frame. You can also consult the user manual for your air conditioning system to find the right filter size.
Filters will typically be 1 inch thick for common systems and 5 inches thick for larger HVAC systems. The overall size of the filter can range from a combination of height and length of 10 inches by 10 inches to 30 inches by 30 inches. No filter is universal, so it's important to make sure the filter you buy is the right size to fit your air conditioning system. Indoor air quality is an important part of maintaining health, and Home Climates is dedicated to providing top quality service at reasonable prices to ensure your home stays comfortable.
If you want your air filter to stop viruses, we recommend the REME Halo air purifier, which reliably purifies the air in your home to make it healthy for you and your family. At Home Climates, we provide everything from plumbing services to water treatment, and we service every brand of equipment. Because we want you to have the home you deserve, we offer many promotions and financing options for your home improvement projects. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
However, 3M and Home Depot have developed their own classification systems called MPR (microparticle performance rating) and FPR (filter performance rating), respectively. According to the EPA, an effective and adjusted HVAC filter can also help filter the air inside your home when outdoor air quality is poor. All of them (and Owen) told us that MERV filters in this range restrict air flow more than low MERV filters, as measured by the air pressure drop generated by the filters when installed. Compared to the most affordable basic filters available, medium-efficiency MERV filters, such as Nordic Pure's MERV 12, can greatly reduce dust, mold spores, pollen and even airborne smoke and, in doing so, can help alleviate respiratory conditions, according to an NIH review. There are also visual cues you can consider when deciding whether to replace your oven's filter, Owen wrote.
In the real world, since the air in your home is constantly recirculated through the ducts and passes through the filters each time, the cumulative effect of the filters increases. Like the HEPA classification test, the MERV test measures the efficiency of a filter (the percentage of particles that capture in a single pass).
